Have you ever watched the seagulls which fly beside the Cook Strait ferry? I've watched them on many crossings. They glide along beside the boat, soaring above the funnel, sometimes diving into the sea after some unlucky fish. Where do they come from? Do they follow the boat all the way across the Strait? Then come back on the next sailing? Are they North Island gulls or South Island gulls? These ones accompanied me home on the Bluebridge ferry last week. And if anyone knows the answers I'd really like to know....ps. an interesting fact - black backed gulls are one of only two New Zealand native bird species not afforded any protection.